The US government today designated three new offshore wind areas in the Central Atlantic that could potentially host 4 to 8 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy production.
More US offshore wind in the Atlantic
The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) three new Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) are off the coasts of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.
The WEAs together total about 356,550 acres:
- The first WEA (A-2) is 101,767 acres and is located 26 nautical miles (30 miles) from Delaware Bay.
- The second WEA (B-1) is 78,285 acres and about 23.5 nautical miles (27 miles) off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland.
- The third WEA (C-1) is 176,506 acres and located about 35 nautical miles (40 miles) from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia:
BOEM says the three WEAs were developed following “extensive engagement and feedback from states, Tribes, local residents, ocean users, federal government partners, and other members of the public.” It says it may identify additional WEAs in deep-water areas off the US Central Atlantic coast for future leasing once further study of the areas is complete.